Our 39 Best Cold Sandwich Recipes
Updated: Aug. 18, 2024
Bag lunches don't have to be boring! With our best cold sandwich recipes, you'll have a work lunch to look forward to. Check out these 40 variations on our favorite paper bag fare.
1
/
37
Italian Grilled Steak Sandwich
If you need to feed a hungry crowd you can’t go wrong with steak sandwiches. They’re easy to make and rich with the flavors of Italy. —Gilda Lester, Millsboro, Delaware
2
/
37
Cranberry Chicken Salad
The tart, tangy bite of cranberry and crisp, refreshing crunch of celery make this cranberry chicken salad a total winner. Make it ahead for an easy, protein-packed meal that'll keep your whole family happy.
3
/
37
Cobb Salad Sub
When we need a quick meal to share, we turn Cobb salad into a sandwich masterpiece. Sometimes I substitute tortillas for the bread and make wraps instead. —Kimberly Grusendorf, Medina, OhioPsst! This is how to make the best sandwich on earth.
4
/
37
Cranberry Turkey Wraps
Fruity and flavorful, these hefty grab-and-go handfuls are quick to assemble, easy to handle and low in calories. We often take these sandwich wraps in a cooler to the local stock show and eat them in the stands. Everyone seems to love them! —Bobbie Keefer, Byers, Colorado
5
/
37
Chickpea Salad Sandwiches
Chickpea salad sandwiches are further proof that chickpeas are the most versatile legume in the pantry. Lightly smashed, they soak up a creamy dressing loaded with vegan mayo, tangy mustard and fresh dill to make a plant-based take on classic deli salads like tuna or egg.
6
/
37
Club Roll-Ups
Packed with meat, cheese and olives, these roll-ups are always a hit at parties.
7
/
37
Muffuletta
Muffuletta, which originated in New Orleans, is named after the round, crusty Sicilian loaf of bread it's traditionally served on. While I favor my own olive salad, there are several good versions available in most supermarkets. —Lou Sansevero, Ferron, Utah
8
/
37
California Roll Wraps
I love the California rolls I get at sushi restaurants and wanted to capture those flavors in a sandwich I could take to work. I started with the standard ingredients, added a few others and came up with a hit. —Mary Pax-Shipley, Bend, Oregon
9
/
37
Peanut Butter, Strawberry and Honey Sandwich
Who needs jam when you have fresh strawberries? A drizzle of honey and a bit of mint make this sandwich stand out. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
10
/
37
Smoked Salmon Egg Salad
Served on croissants, these grown-up sandwiches offer a great way to use leftover Easter eggs. Salmon adds smoky flavor. —Cathy Tang, Redmond, Washington
11
/
37
Chicken Caesar Wrap
This chicken Caesar wrap may be the best thing to happen to a Caesar salad since croutons. The simple recipe takes the classic salad to new handheld heights.
12
/
37
Curried Egg Salad
A curry kick gives this egg salad big appeal. We love it when the weather gets warm. —Joyce McDowell, West Union, Ohio
13
/
37
Chicken Caesar Pitas
Hand-held and picnic friendly, these chicken-stuffed pockets pack a double dose of whole grains from brown rice and whole wheat pitas. The chicken can be made up to 2 days in advance for a fast-fix lunch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
14
/
37
Fresh Veggie Pockets
One summer I worked at a health food store that sold sandwiches. We were close to a college campus, so I made lots of these fresh-filled pitas for the students. Crunchy with crisp vegetables and nutty sunflower kernels, they're a fast-to-fix lunch when you're on the go. -Linda Reeves, Cloverdale, Indiana
15
/
37
Tropical Beef Wrap
For my finicky little ones, I create fast, tasty recipes like this tropical sandwich wrap. You can even use up leftover roast beef in a pinch. —Amy Tong, Anaheim, California
16
/
37
Apple-Swiss Turkey Sandwiches
Honey mustard adds a sweet tang to this hearty concoction. Apple slices, Swiss cheese, cucumber and turkey are layered between slices of nutritious multi-grain bread. These delicious sandwiches pack well to take to the office or on the trail. —Gloria Updyke, Front Royal, Virginia
17
/
37
Turkey Guacamole Wraps
Tuck smoked turkey and a creamy avocado spread into tortilla wraps and add a dash of hot sauce for a little heat. —Margee Berry, White Salmon, Washington
18
/
37
Layered Picnic Loaves
This big sandwich, inspired by one I tried at a New York deli, is a favorite with our football-watching crowd. Made ahead, it's easily carted to any gathering. Kids and adults alike say it's super. —Marion Lowery, Medford, Oregon
19
/
37
Hummus & Veggie Wrap-Up
I had a vegan wrap that was similar to this once when I stopped at a diner while on a long and arduous walk. I enjoyed it so much that I modified it to my own taste and now have it for lunch on a regular basis. Everyone at work wants to know how to make it. —Michael Steffens, Indianapolis, Indiana
20
/
37
Mini Rosemary-Roast Beef Sandwiches
Roast beef sandwiches never last long at a party, especially if you dollop them with mayo, mustard, horseradish and pickled giardiniera relish. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin
21
/
37
Classic Egg Salad
Egg salad is a refreshing, tasty change from lunchmeat or peanut butter sandwiches. The touch of mustard and lemon juice gives it extra zip. —Annemarie Pietila, Farmington Hills, Michigan
22
/
37
Buffalo Chicken Wraps
Blue cheese dressing and hot pepper sauce enhance these yummy tortilla wraps. Filled with chicken, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes, these buffalo chicken wraps are colorful, fun to eat...and tote-able, too! —Athena Russell, Florence, South Carolina
23
/
37
Chicken Salad Party Sandwiches
My famous chicken salad arrives at the party chilled in a plastic container. When it’s time to set out the food, I stir in the pecans and assemble the sandwiches. They’re a hit at buffet-style potlucks. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
24
/
37
Italian-Style Veggie Wraps
Yummy! There are so many great flavors and textures in these wraps. Feel free to experiment with the ingredients—use mozzarella, pepperoni or any combo you like. —Maria Simmons, Rio Rancho, New Mexico
25
/
37
Turkey-Jalapeno Sandwiches
When a turkey sandwich meets modern Thai, it’s a fun mix of classic and trendy food. I love it when my mixing and matching turns out so tasty. —Stacy Mullens, Gresham, Oregon
26
/
37
Avocado-Ranch Chicken Wraps
My grandchildren love these wraps. My daughter gave me the recipe years ago, and now I make them as an afternoon snack or a light meal. I make the dressing from a simple ranch dressing mix. —Janice Stoltenow, Lebanon, Missouri
27
/
37
Quick Taco Wraps
I was running late one night, so I shopped in my own fridge and came up with ingredients that became taco wraps. Everybody at the table was a happy camper. —Katie Mitschelen, La Porte, Indiana
28
/
37
Bacon-Turkey Subs
On balmy fall days, this sweet and smoky sandwich is a big treat. When it gets colder, we pull out our countertop grill to make melts. Just switch to pita bread. —Rachel Bindulski, Corolla, NC
29
/
37
Lunch Box Chicken Wrap
This lunchbox-friendly wrap is a tasty way to use leftover chicken and get kids to eat more veggies. Using colorful, thin strips of vegetables adds visual interest when the wrap is cut into slices. Suddenly spinach is too pretty to refuse. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
30
/
37
Fruity Peanut Butter Pitas
My kids ask for these pita sandwiches all the time. They haven’t noticed that as good as the pitas taste, they’re good for them too.—Kim Holmes, Emerald Park, Saskatchewan
31
/
37
Cashew Turkey Salad Sandwiches
One bite and you'll be hooked on this slightly sweet turkey salad sandwich. It's protein-packed so you can feel good while you munch! —Mary Wilhelm, Sparta, Wisconsin
32
/
37
Havarti Turkey Hero
This is not your ordinary sandwich! Everyone loves the combination of chutney and chopped peanuts. I like to make this when I have company in the afternoon or at night after a game of cards. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
33
/
37
Turkey Lunch-Box Wraps
These wraps taste wonderful cold or warmed in the microwave. They make a great brown-bag treat. —Denise Marshall, Jacksonville, Florida
34
/
37
Loaded Avocado BLT
My husband invented this twist on a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich. I like to make it with extra slices of bacon; if you want, you can leave the Gorgonzola cheese out of the avocado spread. —Lori Grant, Kingsport, Tennessee
35
/
37
Chicken Croissant Sandwiches
These sandwiches are easy to pull together when you need something fun and taste-worthy in a flash. I make them often for occasions like brunches, church youth meetings and impromptu family gatherings. —Cheryl Sigler, Louisville, Ohio
36
/
37
Focaccia Sandwiches
Slices of this pretty sandwich make any casual get-together more special. Add or change ingredients to your taste. —Peggy Woodward, Shullsburg, Wisconsin
37
/
37
